Friendship After Bombing Davao

Here is a close-up personal look at what occurred during one of the countless missions I mention.

Two 63rd Squadron B-24 Snoopers took off from Owi Island on the night of September 4, 1944 to bomb Matina Airdome at Davao, Mindinao. One of the B-24s soon turned back due to radar failure. Captain Roland T. Fisher, pilot of the other B-24, “MISS LIBERTY,” continued on alone. Fisher had flown night missions with the Royal Air Force in 1941 and would soon be needing every ounce of skill he had acquired over the last few years.

Twenty-one years after this mission, Fisher recounted his experience: “I could see again the bright moon in the clear night sky and the green shadow of Cape San Agustin below. I had entered Davao Gulf by crossing from the Pacific over the peninsula into the head of the gulf and made nearly a straight-on approach over Samal Isle to Matina air strip. I remember thinking perhaps this would allow me to enter…

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About GP Cox

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty."
GPCox is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

I recently came across a book titled WORLD WAR II FROM ABOVE, by Jeremy Harwood. I don’t own it myself, but it contains reconnaissance photos, flight maps, aerial combat photos, and related text. Just thought I’d let you know in case you’re interested in checking it out.

The people we fight today have ingrained war into their daily lives over too long a time, (IMO). I continue to try and understand their reasoning, but find too many lies and fallacies. I don’t know what the answer is there.

This is a very touching story indeed. I always moves me deeply twhen I read hat former enemies can come together after the war and be kind and forgiving, even though the winds of war once forced them to fight each other.

We aren’t that much different country to country. I believe that’s why so many feel we should stuff the politicians in a ring and let them battle their differences out! haha Wouldn’t THAT be a sight?!!

Thank you for bringing that point up. That was in the beginning, pilots running out of fuel or didn’t hit their target chose to fly the plane in rather than return to face their superior officers. But by the time the program was actually put into place – no one had a choice.

What an amazing story! I was thinking recently how difficult it is for us these days to realize that 70 years ago the Japanese were our mortal enemies. This story is an example of the healing that has taken place.

Amazing that the Japanese pilot was able to continue flying after his prop had struck the B-24. Also that Fisher was able to skillfully get back to base. These first-hand accounts really bring home the daily horrors of the war, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.